I'm currently riding on a Slingshot Rally 12 (2011 model), and because I've had quite a few sitouts with a strong wind (22kt+), and because my lady is getting into kiting too, I've decided to add a smaller foil to my quiver. I'm thinking of sticking with the Rally, but I'm not sure if I should get a 9 or an 8. The 8 appears to cover a broader wind range (with a good overlap with my 12m^2 foil), and my GF should have an easier time in higher winds. On the other hand, (nearly) all the reviews and feedback I've seen talk about the 9m^2 foil. So which one do you think I should get? (Some of you may suggest a different brand, but circumstances limit me to Slingshot kites, and, besides, I quite fond of my 12 Rally. I was considering an RPM, but the conditions I usually encounter -- moderate chop and sometimes even moderate waves -- and my style are keeping me in the Rally camp).

Any feedback will be appreciated.

By the way, for reference, here are the wind ranges for the kites in question:

By "foil" I meant the kite (in the scientific sense), and not the kite type. I should have just called it "kite" throughout to prevent the confusion.

As far as the size, my concern with the 9 is that when it starts blowing real hard (e.g. 25kt+) I may not be able to ride it, while as the 8 could be doable in such winds. Plus, the 8 may be a better match in ~20kt winds for my GF. The more I think about it, the more I lean on the 8, but I'd welcome any other opinions. (And since I'm still, literally, learning the ropes, I'd rather hear first from those with more experience)

If you want to max out your own kite experience get the 8. But it will really suck for her if you are out on the 12, and she has to watch from shore 'cause the 8 ain't enough. But you can always get a new gf.

edt: According to Slingshot's charts she'll be fine in 16-20kt winds on the 8, which are the kinds of conditions I've experienced most often where I ride (unless it's a dead-calm day). This way I'm on the 12, and she's nice and cozy on a 8 (the 12 sort of freaks her out). If it gets howling, she's on shore duty (and has my permission to flirt and weasel her way into borrowing a 6) and I'm flying the 8.

She should be fine on an 8m Rally. One of my team riders rides an 8 90% of days and hes about 160. Ive ridden 17, 14, 10 & 8 and hes been on the 8. Maybe a big board (big for her) and a proper sized board would help

I'm currently riding on a Slingshot Rally 12 (2011 model), and because I've had quite a few sitouts with a strong wind (22kt+), and because my lady is getting into kiting too, I've decided to add a smaller foil to my quiver. I'm thinking of sticking with the Rally, but I'm not sure if I should get a 9 or an 8...

Ivan, I have ridden 2011 and 2012 Rallys for quite a bit, the sizes were exact from 2011 to 2012. I didn't get to ride 2013 but I got on 2014 for the first time this week. It's a great kite but is bigger than the 2011 for sure...

So, if you are going to get 2011 or 2012 kites, I'd go the 9/12 combo. As you probably know, the 2011 Rallys you have feel a size smaller than they are...I'm sure when you are comfortable on you 12 other people are on their 10. NOW, with the 2014s being a big larger (at least the 14M was, which I flew) I think your 8 (2014)/12 (2011) split would be fine.

If you are looking for an end of season deal on the 2013s, then someone else will have to chime in. I'm not sure if the size increase I'm seeing occurred in 2013 or 2014, but on my 2014 14M, there is definitely more low end.